An aggregation is a special type of association in which objects are assembled or configured together to create a more complex object. An aggregation describes a group of objects and how you interact with them. Aggregation protects the integrity of an assembly of objects by defining a single point of control, called the aggregate, in the object that represents the assembly. Aggregation also uses the control object to decide how the assembled objects respond to changes or instructions that might affect the collection.
Data flows from the whole classifier, or aggregate, to the part. A part classifier can belong to more than one aggregate classifier and it can exist independently of the aggregate. For example, a Department class can have an aggregation relationship with a Company class, which indicates that the department is part of the company. Aggregations are closely related to compositions.
You can name an association to describe the nature of the relationship between two classifiers; however, names are unnecessary if you use association end names.
As the following figure illustrates, an aggregation association appears as a solid line with an unfilled diamond at the association end, which is connected to the classifier that represents the aggregate. Aggregation relationships do not have to be unidirectional.
